St Petersburg - Day 2, Day 6 total (BB voice)

Today was legendary. Walked my ass off. And sweated.

I began the day with the coldest shower you can imagine, and then drank 2 litres of water to replenish the stocks. Ate two bananas and sweated. Did I mention that it doesn't get dark here until 2am? and then only for about ten minutes.... its very odd. Some little shite bit me about 8 times in the night, and I itched them until I bled, in my sleep... thank god I brought anti-itch (Alison - thanks) and cooling cream (Simon - thanks).

Sweated some more then set off to the Alexander Nevsky monastery and necropolis. Once I arrived I felt a bit  ashamed as hadn't covered up (because really, in 38 degrees I want to wear jeans and a long sleeve top and head scarf - feck I would be dead now if I had done).... but nonetheless continued past the gates of the cemetery. Saw some quite spectacular tombs - Dostoevsky, Korsakov (my favourite) and Tchaikovsky to name a few.

Continued sweating and took the metro to St's Peter and Paul fortress on Petrogradsky Island. It's quite an awesome structure, the oldest one in St P. built by Peter the Great as a defence from the Swedes (it was never required and was actually used as a prison for political misfits - but that depends who you ask). All the prerevolutionary rulers save one or two are buried here. You may be wondering why I have no interior shots of anything and that is because you have to pay to get in everywhere, to see anything, and as I am on a budget I just have to make a choice between what I want to see and what I am desperate to see. Bought an ice cream.

I dipped my toes in the river to cool off and they went numb in about 5 seconds. Who would have thought a river nearing the Sea of Finland would be cool. But of course the Russians don't feel it and I saw some crazy old guy swimming in it with the most dated mask and snorkel you have ever seen - military green and made of iron... seriously.

So walked back across the river and on to the Hermitage (even though it was closed) and Dvortsoyaya Square (Alexander Column). Saw some friendly faces. Did I mention I bought a pie before I got here?

Then on to St Isaac's Cathedral - which was spectacular.

Phew - and I'm spent. Used the Russian only metro ticket machine on the way home, felt very pleased with myself. If you're wondering where Ian has been this whole time, he's unwell. Ahhh, I know, very sad. He'll get better though and will be able to enjoy Siberia.

An update on something else which has been bugging me.... the women. There are some stunning women here, and some absolute (INSERT WORD HERE for the ugliest person you've ever seen). However, they all have two things in common and that is they speak Russian and wear the biggest, gaudiest, Pat Butcher-ish high heels. The rule in Russia is heels go with anything, the more rancid the better.

Sweating.